Ubuntu Linux For Dummies (2007)

In This Chapter

· Selecting your connection type

· Using cable modems

· Using DSL modems

Broadband networking brings Internet performance that previously was the exclusive province of large businesses, government, and universities. Broadband provides people like us the ability to download information and surf the Internet at high speed for affordable prices. There's no dialing and waiting, either, like there is for a dialup Internet connection, because you're always online with broadband.

This chapter helps you select between the two dominant broadband technologies — cable and DSL — and use them with Ubuntu. I tell you how you can make a reasonable choice about what system will work best for you.

Choosing between DSL and Cable

If you're choosing broadband Internet service, the first hurdle is availability. Consider these factors:

· Some telephone lines aren't equipped for DSL service.

DSL service degrades quickly as the distance to the DSL provider's central office (CO) increases. DSL doesn't work much farther than eight miles from the central office.

· Some cable TV companies don't offer Internet service at all homes (or any homes).

If you have only one broadband option, the decision is simple. But if you have a choice, the decision, basically, is a trade between cost and download speed.

· Cost: DSL generally is cheaper.

In my experience, the difference is about $10–$15. You might be able to compare DSL providers and find a lower price. (This chapter explains the ins and outs of DSL shopping. See the "Selecting your DSL provider" section.)

DSL modems can interfere with your telephones and other electronic devices. You must put a telephone line filter between all telephones and the jacks they connect to. DSL modems use high-frequency connections, while telephones use low-frequency ones. The filters electronically separate the two types of devices. The filters provided with DSL modems usually work, but in some cases, especially homes with older wiring, you can get interference.

· Speed: Cable generally provides faster download speeds.

Cable networks are optimized for downloading data. They sacrifice upload (data going out from your computer to the Internet) speed because most Internet activities download more data than they upload. Cable uploads are generally slower than DSL uploads.

Cable Internet service costs more if you don't subscribe to cable television service.

Most DSL and cable Internet providers don't require long-term commitments to subscribe to their service. Because most providers let you rent their equipment — cable or DSL modem — you can try one with the knowledge that you can inexpensively switch if you aren't satisfied. (You might have to pay one-time charges, such as shipping.)

The rest of this chapter describes how to use either DSL or cable modems.

Chapter 8. Broadening Your Horizons with Broadband

In This Chapter

· Selecting your connection type

· Using cable modems

· Using DSL modems

Broadband networking brings Internet performance that previously was the exclusive province of large businesses, government, and universities. Broadband provides people like us the ability to download information and surf the Internet at high speed for affordable prices. There's no dialing and waiting, either, like there is for a dialup Internet connection, because you're always online with broadband.

This chapter helps you select between the two dominant broadband technologies — cable and DSL — and use them with Ubuntu. I tell you how you can make a reasonable choice about what system will work best for you.

Choosing between DSL and Cable

If you're choosing broadband Internet service, the first hurdle is availability. Consider these factors:

· Some telephone lines aren't equipped for DSL service.

DSL service degrades quickly as the distance to the DSL provider's central office (CO) increases. DSL doesn't work much farther than eight miles from the central office.

· Some cable TV companies don't offer Internet service at all homes (or any homes).

If you have only one broadband option, the decision is simple. But if you have a choice, the decision, basically, is a trade between cost and download speed.

· Cost: DSL generally is cheaper.

In my experience, the difference is about $10–$15. You might be able to compare DSL providers and find a lower price. (This chapter explains the ins and outs of DSL shopping. See the "Selecting your DSL provider" section.)

DSL modems can interfere with your telephones and other electronic devices. You must put a telephone line filter between all telephones and the jacks they connect to. DSL modems use high-frequency connections, while telephones use low-frequency ones. The filters electronically separate the two types of devices. The filters provided with DSL modems usually work, but in some cases, especially homes with older wiring, you can get interference.

· Speed: Cable generally provides faster download speeds.

Cable networks are optimized for downloading data. They sacrifice upload (data going out from your computer to the Internet) speed because most Internet activities download more data than they upload. Cable uploads are generally slower than DSL uploads.

Cable Internet service costs more if you don't subscribe to cable television service.

Most DSL and cable Internet providers don't require long-term commitments to subscribe to their service. Because most providers let you rent their equipment — cable or DSL modem — you can try one with the knowledge that you can inexpensively switch if you aren't satisfied. (You might have to pay one-time charges, such as shipping.)

The rest of this chapter describes how to use either DSL or cable modems.

Using Cable Modems

Using a cable modem is a straightforward process. You only need to subscribe, connect, and configure.

Subscribing and getting your cable modem

You need to subscribe with your cable Internet service provider (ISP) to gain access to their service. You can lease a cable modem from the service provider or you can purchase a cable modem from electronics stores in many places.

Your ISP will ship your cable modem if you subscribe via telephone or the Internet. You can bring the modem home with you if you subscribe to the cable ISP service and purchase the device at a store.

Your cable Internet service provider must configure its network for your cable modem before you can start using it. Enabling your cable modem is a straightforward process. Many ISPs register your modem at the time of purchase. For instance, if you purchase a modem as part of a package at a retailer, the CATV will register and activate it at that point.

If your cable modem isn't registered, all you should have to do is contact your ISP and give them the machine address (MAC) displayed on the back of the modem.

I've had cable Internet service for a number of years now. When I first subscribed, I did so over the phone and was sent the cable modem, which I rented. Later, when that modem died, I was pleased that I could purchase one from a consumer electronics store. I brought the modem home and registered its MAC address over the phone and regained my connection. More recently, I subscribed my parents to a cable ISP and purchased their cable modem, which I registered at the store. Their cable modem worked right out of the box when I installed it in their home.

The registration process is necessary because the CATV ISP must have your cable modem's MAC address to allow it to work on its network. Other than giving the company the MAC address, that's all the configuration you have to do.

Connecting your computer and cable modem

After you obtain your cable modem, the process of connecting and configuration is straightforward. You should have the following equipment:

· Cable modem: Current cable modems use the DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) protocol.

· CATV splitter: This device connects to the incoming CATV cable and splits the output in two.

· Extra cables: Most cable modems come with an extra CATV cable.

· Instruction manual: This comes with the cable modem package.

First, you need to connect the cable modem to your cable service.

1. Disconnect (unscrew) the cable from the wall jack.

The cable will most likely be connected to a television, cable box, or VCR.

2. Connect a spare cable to the cable wall jack.

3. Connect the splitter's input connector to the cable you just installed.

You can purchase an inexpensive cable splitter from any electronics store. You can even find them in many drug stores and convenience stores.

4. Connect a spare cable to one of the splitter's output connectors.

5. Connect the other end to the cable modem's input port.

6. Reconnect your original cable to the splitter's other output port.

After you make all the physical connections, you need to make sure your Ubuntu computer is configured to work with the cable modem. The following section describes the simple process.

Configuring your Ubuntu computer to work with your cable modem

Cable modems use DHCP — dynamic host control protocol — and Ubuntu also uses DHCP by default. You can skip this section unless your Ubuntu computer is configured to use a static IP address.

Ubuntu, of course, makes the process simple and easy.

1. From the GNOME menu bar, choose SystemAdministrationNetworking.

The Enter Your Password to Perform Administrative Tasks dialog opens.

2. Type your password and click OK.

The Networking Settings dialog opens.

3. Click the Ethernet connection and click the Properties button.

The Interface Properties dialog opens.

4. Click and select DHCP from the Configuration drop-down menu, only if your Ethernet connection currently is set to use a static IP address.

Chapter 6 explains the differences in static and dynamic IP addresses.

Your Ubuntu computer starts to use a dynamic IP address.

5. Click OK.

Cable modems are designed to use the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP). Setting your Ubuntu computer (if it isn't already so configured) to use DHCP enables your computer to get its IP address and other important network settings directly from the cable modem. You should now be set to use your new cable Internet connection. Surf's up!

Using DSL Modems

Much of the technology behind plain old telephone service (POTS) is more than a century old. The technology is based on the human voice and limits the speeds that dialup modems (also referred to as data/fax modems) can achieve. However, it's possible to use POTS wiring to obtain faster and better Internet connections than is possible with plain old dialup modems.

Telephone companies make use of their POTS infrastructure by providing DSL connections. DSL uses the same old wires as telephones do but at a different frequency. DSL also bypasses the voice-oriented technology that we all use to make phone calls. DSL piggybacks on the existing equipment to provide much better Internet service than is available via dialup modems.

The following sections describe the process in detail.

Selecting your DSL provider

You're pretty much limited by geography when selecting a DSL provider. In the United States, national telephone companies like AT&T and Verizon do offer DSL service in some areas. However, your highest probability of obtaining service is through your local company. Other countries will have their own vagaries.

Contact your local telephone company and find out what they offer. You can also visit sites such as www.consumer.att.com and www.verizon.com to find out if they provide local service.

DSL lags behind cable Internet in terms of retail outlet availability, but it's catching up. I had DSL years ago but could purchase or lease equipment only from my telephone company; on the other hand, I could purchase cable modems at local stores — a big advantage. Now, you can find some stores that offer DSL subscription packages. Subscribe at the store and you can purchase a DSL modem. Unfortunately, it takes longer to activate DSL service than it does for Internet cable. For instance, I wanted to get my parents DSL but would have had to wait for over a week for it to activate.

After you subscribe, you need to activate the DSL modem. Activation occurs automatically if you purchase a package at a retail outlet or directly from the telephone company. However, if you purchase a DSL modem separately, you'll have to call the DSL service provider and register the device.

Your DSL provider will give you a username and password that authenticates your DSL modem to their service.

Connecting to your DSL modem

You get the following equipment when you purchase or lease a DSL modem:

· DSL modem: This is the device that converts your computer network traffic into a signal that can be carried over telephone (POTS) cables.

· Extra telephone cable: Connects your DSL modem to your telephone wall jack.

· Telephone filters: These devices let your DSL modem and telephones use the same wiring. The DSL modem uses much higher frequencies than your telephones do. The filters prevent the DSL modem from interfering with the phones.

· A network cable: Use the cable to connect the DSL modem to your computer.

Installing the DSL modem is as simple as the following instructions outline:

1. Locate the room and telephone jack you want to use for your DSL modem.

The jack must be close enough to your computer for the network cable to reach. You can purchase longer cables, but be careful about spanning too long of a distance. You don't want to trip!

2. Unplug the existing telephone cable and plug the DSL modem's designated filter into the jack.

3. Plug the DSL modem into the filter using another telephone cable.

4. Plug the power supply into the DSL modem.

That's all there is to it. Now you're ready to connect your Ubuntu computer to the DSL modem.

Configuring your Ubuntu computer to work with the DSL modem

After you have your cable modem and computer connected, you can configure your Ubuntu computer to work with the modem. Ubuntu, of course, makes the process simple and easy.

1. Choose SystemAdministrationNetworking from the GNOME menu bar.

The Enter Your Password to Perform Administrative Tasks dialog opens.

2. Type your password and click OK.

The Networking Settings dialog opens.

3. Click the Ethernet connection and click the Properties button.

The Interface properties dialog opens.

4. From the Configuration drop-down menu, choose DHCP.

Your Ubuntu computer is set to use the a dynamic IP address.

This action is necessary only if your Ethernet connection is set to use a static IP address.

5. Click OK.

The dialog closes.

Configuring the DSL modem to connect and authenticate with your DSL provider

You need to configure a DSL modem to connect and authenticate with the DSL service provider. The process is similar to that of a dialup modem, except you assign the configuration information directly to the DSL modem — you configure your computer to dial up and authenticate with an ISP.

The configuration process differs greatly among DSL service providers. The overall process goes as follows:

1. Log in to your Ubuntu computer.

2. Click the blue globe on the upper panel.

The Mozilla Firefox Web browser opens.

3. Type the DSL configuration address in the Location text box.

The Location text box is the white space immediately to the left of the Home icon near the top, center portion of the Firefox window.

Consult your DSL modem manual for the configuration address to use. The address will generally be of the form http://127.0.0.1/ followed by another location.

4. Type your DSL service username and password in the appropriate text boxes.

5. Select the appropriate action to save your settings.

Your DSL modem connects and authenticates itself to the DSL service provider. Your computer is now connected to the Internet.